San Diego Metropolitan - San Diego Scene

Smooth jazz recording artist Gary Taylor will present his first performances in San Diego County at the East County Performing Arts Center on March 30, a benefit for the Children’s Initiative.

Taylor’s songs have been recorded by Anita Baker (“Good Love”), The Whispers (“Just Gets Better With Time”), Jennifer Holiday (“Love Stories”) and Marlena Shaw (“Without You In My Life”), among many others. He has six albums in release from Morning Crew Records, including Compassion, Take Control, Square One, The Mood of Midnight, Love Dance and his latest, Under the Nightlight.

The Children’s Initiative is an advocacy group for children, youth and family. “It’s like a nonprofit consulting firm,” says Debra A. Stephens, Children’s Initiative corporate and community relations manager. “We bring together people who provide children’s services.” The work of the initiative is centered on providing leadership, technical assistance and partnership-building support to private, nonprofit and government entities that enhance collaborative relationships and services for children and youth. For example, the firm created a network that linked mentor organizations. If one organization is too busy to see a new client, it can provide a referral to another. The initiative also takes credit for getting the school districts together to apply for after-school program funding. The initiative has a staff of 10 and relies on private funding.

Taylor will present two performances, at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., at the East County Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $42 and available by calling (619) 440-2277.